David Lane - Editor Creating Memories One of the traditional features of a British summer is that the media are short of stories as the politicians have gone off to Provence or Tuscany, and the reporters with them, leaving John Prescott in charge of the country. In consequence, they try to fill up the papers and television with non-stories as they hunt for something to say. The non-stories will pass. What people will remember of this summer - certainly in Britain, but throughout Western Europe as well – is the hot and sunny weather, day after day after day. There are millions of people enjoying themselves on beaches, in open-air swimming pools, walking in the hills, visiting historical sites and theme parks, watching sport, gardening – or rather, sitting in their gardens or splashing in their paddling pools. What has this to do with children? The images lodged in children’s brains provide them with the tools and equipment to help them frame and understand their later experiences. This summer should provide them with a clear image of a sunny summer and all that goes with it for the rest of their lives. Off into the next century there could be people saying, “When I was little we had the first of the long hot summers. We had trains then, and they had to slow them down in case the rails buckled…” Which leads to the general question: to help children prepare for the coming century, what fund of memories will they need? Experiencing security, so that they develop personal confidence? Trying out different foods, textures of materials and other new things for their five senses? Learning how to cope with risk and danger? Becoming accustomed to using new forms of technology without being phased by them? Getting on with peers, learning not to bully and how to cope with bullies? Widening their range of experiences by going to the beach, visiting farms, or walking in the hills? Getting to know ethnic groups other than their own, so that they can appreciate that other people may legitimately see things differently, and learn tolerance? We tend not to plan such things comprehensively. We say, “Let’s go to Chatsworth for the day”, or we get the paddling pool out, or whatever. Our children pick up their memories along the way. It’s the pragmatic, amateur way we usually do things in Britain. But maybe it is worth thinking more widely. One of the recent silly season stories was of a family who are setting off round the world for a year; now what a fund of memories that will give the children! If you are concerned about the way things are going and wish to help to shape future thinking, why not join CfC? Then you can have your say. Click here for an application form.